OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether a labially inclined implant axis compromises the clinical outcomes of immediate implant placement and provisionalization (IIPP) in the anterior maxilla.
METHODS: Patients with unsalvageable central or lateral maxillary incisors were enrolled. IIPP with simultaneous connective tissue graft (CTG) was performed in all participants. In the control group, the alveolar ridge had a long axis aligned with the tooth, which ensured that the immediate implant was aimed at the incisor edge or the cingulum of future restoration. The test group had a large angle between the axes of the ridge and tooth. To avoid bone fenestration, the implants were placed labially inclined and emerged from the labial side of future restoration. Intra-oral scanning and cone-beam computed tomography were performed to record soft and hard tissue profiles at baseline and 1 year later. Soft tissue stability, bone remodeling, and pink esthetic score (PES) were evaluated and compared between two groups.
RESULTS: Thirty-nine participants (19 tests and 20 controls) completed the study. At 1-year post-surgery, the mid-facial gingival margin migrations were 0.85 ± 0.37 mm (test) and 0.81 ± 0.33 mm (control), without significant differences. No differences were identified in buccal profile alteration, linear ridge reduction, buccal bone thickness, or PES scores. The test group demonstrated thinner buccal soft tissue at the crestal level than the control group.
CONCLUSIONS: When large tooth-ridge angulation presented, labially inclined implant, avoiding buccal ridge fenestration in IIPP with CTG, did not compromise the clinical outcome in short term.

BACKGROUND: The excellent efficacy is mitigated by the limited safety profile of microfocused ultrasound procedures.
OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess the safety and tightening efficacy of a novel microfocused ultrasound.
METHODS: The randomized middle and lower face and submental region of the participants were treated with the novel device using the following transducers: M4.5, D4.5, M3.0, and D3.0. Improvement in paired comparison of pretreatment and posttreatment photographs, three-dimensional (3D) volumetric assessments, skin thickness measured by B-ultrasonography, and skin photoaging parameters were evaluated. Adverse events and patient satisfaction were also recorded.
RESULTS: A total of 20 participants (20 female) were enrolled. Fourteen of 20 participants (70%) were judged to show clinically significant facial tightening during 3-month follow-up (P < 0.05). The mean volumetric change in the lower face, as quantitatively assessed after 3 months was -0.29 mL compared with +0.42 mL on the control side (P < 0.05). The VAS pain score was 3.00 ± 1.19 without any oral or intramuscular anesthesia.
CONCLUSIONS: A small sample size, lack of clinical scales, and impersonalized treatment parameters. The novel microfocused ultrasound appears to be a safe and effective modality for lower-face tightening.
BACKGROUND: ChiCTR 2200064666.

In treatment-refractory cancers, tumor tissues damaged by therapy initiate the repair response; therefore, tumor tissues must be exposed to an additional burden before successful repair. We hypothesized that an agent recognizing a molecule that responds to anticancer treatment-induced tissue injury could deliver an additional antitumor agent including a radionuclide to damaged cancer tissues during repair. We selected the extracellular matrix glycoprotein tenascin-C (TNC) as such a molecule, and three antibodies recognizing human and murine TNC were employed to evaluate X-irradiation-induced changes in TNC uptake by subcutaneous tumors. TNC expression was assessed by immunohistochemical staining of BxPC-3 tumors treated with or without X-irradiation (30 Gy) for 7 days. Antibodies against TNC (3-6, 12-2-7, TDEAR) and a control antibody were radiolabeled with 111In and injected into nude mice having BxPC-3 tumors 7 days after X-irradiation, and temporal uptake was monitored for an additional 4 days by biodistribution and single-photon emission computed tomography with computed tomography (SPECT/CT) studies. Intratumoral distribution was analyzed by autoradiography. The immunohistochemical signal for TNC expression was faint in nontreated tumors but increased and expanded with time until day 7 after X-irradiation. Biodistribution studies revealed increased tumor uptake of all three 111In-labeled antibodies and the control antibody. However, a statistically significant increase in uptake was evident only for 111In-labeled 3-6 (35% injected dose (ID)/g for 30 Gy vs. 15% ID/g for 0 Gy at day 1, p < 0.01), whereas limited changes in 111In-labeled TDEAR2, 12-2-27, and control antibody were observed (several % ID/g for 0 and 30 Gy). Serial SPECT/CT imaging with 111In-labeled 3-6 or control antibody provided consistent results. Autoradiography revealed noticeably stronger signals in irradiated tumors injected with 111In-labeled 3-6 compared with each of the nonirradiated tumors and the control antibody. The signals were observed in TNC-expressing stroma. Markedly increased uptake of 111In-labeled 3-6 in irradiated tumors supports our concept that an agent, such as an antibody, that recognizes a molecule involved in tissue injury repair, such as TNC, could enhance drug delivery to tumor tissues that have undergone therapy. The combination of antibody 3-6 coupled to a tumoricidal drug and conventional therapy has the potential to achieve better outcomes for patients with refractory cancer.

This study was conducted to identify cytokine profiles associated with radiographic phenotypes of knee osteoarthritis (rKOA) with a focus on early stage of the disease.
The pilot population study involved 60 middle-aged patients (mean age 50 ± 7.3y.). Standardized weight-bearing anteroposterior and axial radiographs were used to assess rKOA severity in tibiofemoral (TFJ) of patellofemoral joint (PFJ) by grading system (grades 0-3). Luminex (xMAP®) technology was used to simultaneously assess 60 biomarkers (BMs).
Several pathways of angiogenic (CXCL10/IP-10, FGF1/2, PDGF-AA/BB, ANG1, RANTES), tissue remodeling/fibrosis (MMP1/3, TIMP2/3/4, TGFβ), and fat tissue (leptin) BMs associated with rKOA severity already in very early phase (grade 1). We identified several sets of cytokines as key markers of early knee osteoarthritis (KOA) predicting radiographic features in logistic-regression models (AUC = 0.80-0.97). Marked sex-specificity of rKOA course was detected: upregulation of angiogenesis dominated in females, whereas the activation of tissue remodeling was dominant in males. Several of these shifts, e.g., decrease of CXCL10/IP-10, took place only in grade 1 KOA and disappeared or reversed in later stages. OA of different knee-joint compartments has distinct profiles of cytokines. A broad list of BMs (TIMP2/3/4, MMP1/3, TGFβ1/2, vWF-A2, sE-selectin and leptin) associated with OA in the PFJ.
Our results demonstrate that substantial and time-limited shifts in the angiogenic and TIMP/MMP systems occur in the early stage of KOA. Our study findings highlight the sex-, grade- and compartment-dependent shifts in above processes. The data may contribute to the individualized prevention of KOA in the future.

OBJECTIVE: Vaginal relaxation syndrome (VRS) is both a physical and psychological problem for women and often their partners. Recently the 2940 nm Er:YAG laser has attracted attention for VRS treatment. The current study evaluated the clinical efficacy of this nonsurgical laser procedure.
METHODS: Thirty postpartum females with VRS or vaginal atrophy, ages from 33 - 56 yr (mean 41.7 yr) were divided randomly into two groups, Group A and Group B. Both groups were treated for 4 sessions at 1∼2-weekly intervals with a 2940 nm Er:YAG via 90° and 360° scanning scopes. In Group A the first 2 sessions were performed with the 360° scope and the final 2 with the 90° scope in multiple micropulse mode, 1.7 J delivered per shot, 3 multishots, 3 passes per session. Group B underwent multiple micropulse mode treatment with the 90° scope in all 4 sessions (same parameters as Group A) then during the final 2 sessions an additional 2 passes/session were delivered with the 360° scope, long-pulsed mode, 3.7 J delivered per shot. Perineometer assessments were performed at baseline and at 2 months post-treatment for vaginal tightness. Histological specimens were taken at baseline and at 2 months post-procedure. Subjective satisfaction with vaginal tightening was assessed together with improvement in sexual satisfaction. RESULTS were tested for statistical significance with the paired Student\'s t-test.
RESULTS: All subjects successfully completed the study with no adverse events. Significant improvement in vaginal wall relaxation was seen in all subjects at 2 months post-procedure based on the perineometer values, on the partners\' input for vaginal tightening (76.6%) and for sexual satisfaction as assessed by the subjects themselves (70.0%). The histological findings suggested better elasticity of the vaginal wall with tightening and firming.
CONCLUSIONS: Both regimens of Er:YAG laser treatment for VRS produced significant improvement in vaginal relaxation. With multishots delivered in the multiple micropulse mode via scanning scopes, nonsurgical Er:YAG laser treatment was pain-free, safe, side effect free, easily tolerated and effective.

BACKGROUND: Since the first studies by Apfelberg in 1994 and the mathematical model by Mordon in 2004, laser lipolysis (LAL) has been on the rise. Laser lipolysis has the advantages of reduced operator fatigue, excellent patient tolerance, quick recovery time, as well as the additional benefit of dermal tightening. This article reports our experience with laser-assisted lipolysis (LAL) in submental and neck remodelling.
METHODS: Between June 2010 and January 2013, a prospective study was performed on 30 patients treated for Rohrich type I to III aging neck, with LAL. The laser used in this study was a 980 nm diode laser (Quanta system, spa model D-plus, Solbate Olona (VA), Italy). Laser energy was transmitted through a 600 μm optical fiber and delivered in a continuous mode 15 W power. Previous mathematical modelling suggested that 0.1 kJ was required in order to destroy 1 ml of fat. Patients were asked to fill out a satisfaction questionnaire. The cervicomental angle was measured 6 months post-operatively and compared with the preoperative values.
RESULTS: Other than three patients who developed mild hyperpigmentation that disappeared after 4 months, there were no complications in the series. Pain during the anaesthesia and discomfort after the procedure were minimal. The time taken to return to normal activities was 3.2 ± 1 days. All patients would strongly recommend this treatment. Overall satisfaction was high with both patients and investigators and was validated by decrease in cervicomental angle demonstrating a systematic decrease in fat thickness and improved skin tightening.
CONCLUSIONS: LAL is a safe and reproducible technique for remodeling in Rohrich type I to III aging neck. The procedure allows for a reduction in the amount of adipose deposits while providing concurrent skin contraction.